The Tattersalls Group announced today revised dates for the forthcoming combined Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze Up Sale as well as unveiling contingency plans of an amended format for the fixture if required. Date changes for the flagship Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale and Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale have also been announced.

Owing to the social impact of Government guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 virus and continued uncertainty over the resumption of any racing in Britain and Ireland, the Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze Up Sale will now take place in Newmarket on Tuesday 23rd June. The Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale, incorporating the May Sale, will move to the week beginning Monday 13th July, while the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale will take place Friday 24th July, with the breezes taking place earlier that week.

Contingency plans for the format of the combined Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze Up Sale have also been formulated. In the event that Government guidelines preclude breezing conventionally prior to the sale in Newmarket, arrangements have been made for the breezes to take place well in advance of the 23rd June sale date in the week beginning Monday 8th June. Under these circumstances, the vast majority of two year olds catalogued for the Craven and Ascot Breeze Up which are based in Ireland will breeze under full sale conditions at an Irish racecourse to be confirmed following approval from HRI, while their UK based counterparts will breeze on the customary Newmarket ‘Watered Gallop’ adjacent to the Rowley Mile Racecourse. The Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up will remain in its already revised date of July 6th - 7th and full details of all the respective breeze dates and formats will be released shortly.

The two week period between the breezes and the sale will not only allow full dissemination of all the necessary information and data needed by buyers throughout the world, but also, regulations permitting, will give buyers additional opportunities to view the two year olds at their home locations prior to the sale. While aiming to conduct the Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze Up Sale in a manner as close to the conventional format as possible, Tattersalls will also be introducing online and telephone bidding platforms in order to allow buyer participation in as many different ways as possible.

Commenting on the new format, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said;

“The continued lockdown and prolonged uncertainty surrounding the resumption of racing behind closed doors in either Britain or Ireland has necessitated not only a further revision of the date for the Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze Up Sale, but also carefully thought out contingency plans which crucially will provide as much flexibility as possible for vendors and purchasers alike. The changes have been made on the assumption that in the intervening period there will have been at least a partial resumption of racing behind closed doors and that Government social restrictions will also have been relaxed to some extent.

“While we would all prefer to stage the sale in its usual format, we must accept that events outside our control may dictate otherwise. The contingency arrangements for the Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze Up Sale will allow us, as well as our consignors and buyers, time to react to whatever challenges the prevailing Government guidelines may present, while still giving the certainty of the sale taking place on the stated date of Tuesday 23rd June.

“The Breeze in Ireland will cater for approximately 85% of the Craven and Ascot two year olds, while their UK based counterparts will benefit from breezing on the same widely - praised Newmarket ‘Watered Gallop’ as they would normally use. Subject to Government guidelines, potential buyers may be allowed to attend the breezes, but in the event of continued restrictions, buyers will be able to view the breezes live online and will have access to as much pre - sale information and data as we can reasonably provide, as well as having an extended period in which to view the horses prior to the date of the sale.

“These are exceptional times and we are taking exceptional measures. A pan - European approach is vital under the current circumstances and we have been in close consultation with our Irish and French counterparts to ensure that a workable Breeze Up calendar can be implemented on behalf of all concerned. There will be further important details which we will need to communicate to our consignors and buyers between now and the contingency Craven and Ascot breezes in the week beginning June 8th, but in the meantime we will continue to work tirelessly and collaboratively on behalf of all involved to provide as vibrant a market as we possibly can, while at all times observing the necessary health protocols. In a perfect world restrictions will have been lifted to an extent that permits us to conduct all of our Breeze Up Sales under almost normal conditions, but whatever the circumstances we believe our contingency plans give everyone the flexibility to respond judiciously to any prevailing challenges we face.”

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Matt Mitchell added;

“We are pleased to be able to confirm the new dates for the flagship Tattersalls Ireland Derby and May Sale and we are confident that the week beginning Monday 13th July will work well for both vendors and purchasers alike. Staging the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale on Friday 24th July with the breeze taking place earlier that week also looks to be a good option for all participants and we very much hope to bring a disrupted Breeze Up season to a successful conclusion."